Home > News > PTI

No more classes in thatched sheds: TN CM

July 18, 2004 20:23 IST
Last Updated: July 19, 2004 14:21 IST


As a fallout of the Friday fire tragedy at a private school in Kumbakonam, in which 90 children were killed, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday instructed education department officials not to allow any classes in thatched sheds in schools in the state.

In a statement in Chennai, she said all schools, which had thatched structures, should replace them with fire-resistant material before July 30, failing which their recognition would be cancelled and their managements prosecuted for criminal negligence.

She also ordered all schools in the state to hold a prayer meeting on Monday, after which they would remain closed for the day, as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Also Read


School fire toll 90, four arrested


Kumbakonam: Gandhi offers Rs 1 crore


The Tamil Nadu cabinet would have a special meeting in Chennai on Monday to mourn the deaths of the young children in the Kumbakonam fire tragedy.

The chief minister has instructed collectors to undertake an intensive inspection of all schools in their districts for a week from Monday. They should prepare a list of schools, which had thatched structures and issue notices to them to replace them before July end.

She hoped the authorities would realise that safety standards should not be compromised where children are concerned.

In another development, two students, who received serious burns at the Kumbakonam school fire tragedy on Friday, were admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai on Saturday night.

The children - Kousalya (6) and Vijay (8) - received extensive burns on their upper limbs and face, renowned plastic surgeon Dr K Sridhar, who is treating them, said.

"Both patients are running a temperature and criticality continues," he said. Removal of burnt skin and grafting could be taken up in a couple of days if their condition stablisied.

Vijay was a bit restless and often woke up, recollecting the tragedy. His pupils showed dilatation. Doctors are checking for internal injuries.

One more child, with extensive burns, was shifted to the Apollo Hospital in Madurai and was in the ICU, Dr Sridhar added.


Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article




Related Stories


Kumbakonam: Gandhi offers Rs 1cr

There were heart rending scenes

TN: 83 kids dead in school fire









More reports from Tamil Nadu
Read about: Cases Against J Jayalalitha | Cauvery Water Dispute


© Copyright 2004 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.










Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.